COLUMBUS, OHIO — An Ohio bill that would completely ban marriage before age 18 remains stalled despite bipartisan sponsorship, unanimous committee approval and no reported public opposition.
Senate Bill 341 would repeal current law allowing 17-year-olds to marry someone up to four years older with juvenile-court approval. Instead, Ohio would establish 18 as the minimum marriage age with no exceptions. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the measure 7-0 in June, but the full Senate has still not taken it up.
The bill was absent from Tuesday’s lame-duck agenda even though Senate President Rob McColley, a Republican, says he personally supports it. Democratic Sen. Bill DeMora, who introduced the legislation with Republican Sen. Bill Blessing, said he plans to force the issue by offering the proposal as an amendment to other legislation.
Advocates argue that minors can enter marriages carrying adult responsibilities while lacking many adult legal rights. At a Tuesday press conference, survivors described marriages involving significant age gaps, abuse and difficulty obtaining housing or divorces before turning 18.
Ohio legislative records show the measure has advanced no further than the Senate committee stage. If lawmakers do not pass it before the current General Assembly expires, supporters would have to start over next year.
According to advocacy group Unchained At Last, more than 5,000 minors have married in Ohio since 2000.
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